Timing Your Landscaping Project

One of the most common questions we get from clients is, “When’s the best time to get started?” We usually hear it from folks who contact us early or late in the warm season. The general answer is any time- as long as the ground isn’t frozen. But it does vary from project to project. Here’s a quick breakdown.

Hardscape Installation: The general rule applies. If the ground isn’t frozen, we can work! In fact, late fall can be the best time for a hardscape project, as you’re probably done with outdoor activities for the year, and your new patio will be ready to go in the spring. Early spring can also be a great time for smaller hardscape projects like walkways and entryways. Getting a hardscape project done before the warm season or after means you can still get the most from your outdoor space.

A hardscape project like this Rosetta Outcropping retaining wall installation can be done virtually any time of year, but early spring or fall can be the best.

Planting Installation: Did you know fall is the best time to install most trees and shrubs? Cool air and increased precipitation make mid-September through early November a great time for new plants to get established. As for perennials and annuals, springtime works best.

This showy perennial display was installed in late September and gave the new hardscape area color throughout the fall.

New Lawn Installation: Just like with trees and shrubs, cool air and extra moisture are key to getting a healthy new lawn installed. That means most lawns should be planted in the spring or the fall. While you can install new grass in the summer, we don’t recommend it; a new lawn requires a lot of watering and care and even more so during the hot months.

Most grasses native to New York state are cool season grasses, which thrive in the spring and fall. The best time to install this kind of lawn is late April to mid May, or mid September to mid October.

Drainage Projects: If you have a drainage issue, the best time to start your project is as soon as possible. And as with most projects, as long as we can dig, it can be done. If you find yourself in the middle of the outdoor season with a drainage issue, don’t worry: most projects can be handled quickly, and lawn areas disturbed by excavation can be re-established in a few weeks with proper care.

A drainage installation like this gutter drain extension can be done at any time of year, so long as the ground isn’t frozen. If you’re worried about your lawn being out of commission, don’t – lawns can re-establish themselves in a matter of weeks.

Have a specific question we didn’t answer here? Let us know in the comments, or send us an email.